Restoring Romance (Welcome to Romance 1)

He smiled, lifting his hands to ward off her imaginary blows. “Sorry. I won’t interfere.”

Yet he followed a step behind her, ready to catch her if she lost her balance. She fumbled her way into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Adam took the opportunity to put some chicken noodle soup on the stove, assuming from the sparkling state of the kitchen, she hadn’t eaten that day. During the eight minutes it took to heat the soup, he checked on her several times, but she hadn’t emerged from the bathroom. He placed a few saltine crackers on a plate and carried them into the den, hoping to settle her stomach with something bland before inviting her to the table for soup.

The bathroom door opened and her face appeared, pale and drawn, her hair falling to her shoulders in damp tendrils. Her gaze landed on the saltines, and she twisted, lunging back into the bathroom. Stashing the crackers on a nearby table, he found her on the floor retching into the toilet. He snatched one of the freshly laundered hand towels, doused it with cool water, and wrung out the excess. With one hand, he swept her blond hair back so he could wipe her face with the cool wet towel.

“I hate throwing up.” Tears flowed down her cheeks. “And I really hate doing it in front of people.”

“I’m so sorry, Ash.” His heart ached with regret as he patted her face with the wet towel. “I shouldn’t have stuck those saltines under your nose.”

“It’s not your fault. I already threw up before I came out and saw the crackers.” She took the towel from him, scrubbing at her face until her skin reddened, but more tears flowed. “I’m so humiliated.”

“Please, don’t be. You can’t help being sick, and it’s just good fortune that I happened to drop by so I can take care of you.”

“I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself.”

“Of course you can.” He slid down the wall to sit on the floor beside her. “But you have family now, so you don’t have to.”

She leaned back against the cabinet door and buried her face in her hands. “I don’t want you to see me like this. I mean... I don’t want anyone to see me like this.”

To him, she looked as beautiful as ever, but he highly doubted she would believe him. Rather than repelling him, her vulnerability only drew him with a force more powerful than gravity.

“You look as amazing as always, Ash.”

“No, you look amazing. I look like a drowned rat. I don’t have on any makeup, and my hair is all wet.”

“Just a second.” He flashed his palm in her face and climbed to his feet. He turned the water on in the sink and stuck his head underneath the cold stream.

“What are you doing?” Ash asked.

“Evening the odds.” He straightened and gave his head a shake, sending out sprinkles of water and eliciting a squeal from Ash. He sat down again, water dripping from his hair and wetting his shirt. “Now we both look like drowned rats.”

For the smile that bloomed on her face, he was happy to get a little wet. He would’ve swum across the Pacific Ocean. In the winter. Without a life vest.

Chapter Ten

WHEN MAGGIE CALLED to chat on Friday night, Ash told her about the three-day headache. “Oh, Ash! I’m so sorry you had another migraine attack. And how awful to be all alone.”

“Yeah. It was pretty tough...”

“Hey... that didn’t sound very pitiful. What aren’t you telling me?”

Drat! Her best friend was way too perceptive.

“My family came by to check on me a few times during the week.”

“Your family? As in... your cousin, Adam?”

“Maybe.”

“A few times? As in... all day, every day?”

“Only two or three times a day!” Ash’s protest spilled out before she recognized Maggie’s trap.

“I knew it! What were you thinking? You let him come over multiple times every day to take care of you? Was that part of your plan to get over him?”

“No.” Her head throbbed anew with guilt and stress. Adam had been so sweet and devoted as he tended to her needs. Though she was becoming more attached by the minute, she’d allowed it to happen. Appearing at her absolute worst, she knew his actions weren’t based on physical attraction, but rather on dedication to family. He cared for her in the same way he undoubtedly cared for their precious grandmother when she was still alive. That knowledge, however, did nothing to squelch her growing attraction to her kind-hearted, scowling cousin. That he made a custom scratching post for Lucky had only further endeared him to her. “I have a new plan.”

“What’s that?”